Fifth round awaits

THROUGH TO THE FIFTH ROUND: Charlie King takes his winning shot to ensure Forfar Athletic make it through to the next round of the Scottish Cup.
Christopher Coutts Photography

06:00Wednesday 05 December 2012

FORFAR Athletic earned themselves a place in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Ayr United.

Despite being a goal down at the break, the ‘Loons’ pushed forward in the second half with loan-signing Willie Robertson and super sub Charlie King clinching the equaliser and winner respectively.

Forfar Athletic looked strong from the first kick of the game and could have taken the lead just a minute in but Martyn Fotheringham saw his 18-yard shot sail over the bar.

In the 11th minute, Forfar had another chance to take an early lead but former Forfar ‘keeper Ally Brown dived to keep the ball from crossing the line.

Despite dominating the early stages of the game, Forfar saw Ayr United take the lead in the 15th minute.

David Sinclair latched on to an almost perfect cross from David Winter and tapped the ball in past loanee ‘keeper Jack Hamilton at close range.

Three minutes later Winter could have extended Ayr United’s lead but his 20-yard shot just skimmed the top of the bar.

Forfar responded in the 20th minute with a great shot from James Craigen only for it to be denied by the ‘keeper.

Just before the half-hour mark Chris Templeman saw his shot from 12-yards go wide. The subsequent corner, taken by Fotheringham, came close to hitting the mark but was caught well by ‘keeper Brown.

A minute later, Brown was called into action once again but was quick to stop Craigen’s shot.

Sinclair came close to extending the lead in the 34th minute but Hamilton caught it well.

Two bookings were picked up as the half drew to a close with Willie Robertson and David Winter both seeing yellow for unsporting behaviour.

Ayr United had one more last gasp attempt in stoppage time but John Robertson’s 18-yard volley went right of the post.

Forfar Athletic 0, Ayr United 1

Forfar made a substitution at half-time bringing on Kevin Motion to replace Fotheringham.

The home side looked like they meant business from the outset with Robertson coming close to finding the net just a few moments in only to see his right-footed shot go wide.

In the 47th minute Ayr United responded with another Winter shot from 12 yards.

From then it was end to end stuff with neither team looking close to scoring until Forfar took the equaliser in the 58th minute.

Robertson eventually got his goal when he received the ball from Ross Campbell and slotted it into the bottom left corner of the net from 20 yards.

Winter almost put Ayr United back in the lead in the 61st minute but Forfar ‘keeper Hamilton tipped the ball around the post.

Three minutes later Forfar made their second substitution of the game when Charlie King came on to replace Ross Campbell.

Ayr United made their first substitution in the 67th minute when Mark Roberts made way for Ross Robertson.

Forfar’s Robertson came close to scoring a few minutes later but his shot from the penalty area was blocked by ‘keeper Brown.

Two minutes later Charlie King broke the deadlock and took Forfar into the lead with his 18-yard shot with a headed assist from Templeman.

With just under 20 minutes left to go both sides were strong on the attack. Ayr substitute Ross Robertson came closest five minutes after the Forfar goal with his header from six yards out but it was blocked by Michael Bolochoweckyj.

Ayr United made a final tactical substitution in the 82nd minute when Robbie Crawford was replaced by Anthony Marenghi.

The homesters made their final substitution five minutes later when Michael Dunlop replaced Steven Tulloch.

Neither team created any great chances in the closing stages and Forfar managed to hold on to their lead throughout the three minutes of stoppage time to book their place in the fifth round.

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